"Does admitting to past racist thoughts make you a racist? I’d argue having current racist thoughts makes you one. Expressing horror at one’s past racism is potentially a route to something constructive and reconciliatory.|

The conclusion seems so obvious to me. I cant get my head round people not understanding that this was 40 years ago, and he quickly realised how wrong he was. What he did for a week was wrong, but he didn't actually carry out his thoughts, and then got himself together, and understood how bad his reaction was.

The notion that someone somehow gets over their racist beliefs as a result of a few nights out on the town armed with a cosh and then has a epiphany is rather naive and a bit too conveniently "Hollywood". I'm sure he thought that would play well and wasn't expecting the sort of backlash that has occurred. He may well have come to his senses and not taken any direct action but the fact remains that there is never any easy out for that kind of repugnant thinking now and there wasn't any excuse for it then either.

The thinking and behaviour was 40 years ago, based on a traumatic attack on a friend. After a week, he realised how wrong his thoughts, and actions were. Why should he be forever labelled a racist for that week of bad thinking?

Exactly. It's like me saying I liked The Bay City Rollers when I was younger and everyone saying I must still be a Bay City Rollers fan.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

"Does admitting to past racist thoughts make you a racist? I’d argue having current racist thoughts makes you one. Expressing horror at one’s past racism is potentially a route to something constructive and reconciliatory.|

The conclusion seems so obvious to me. I cant get my head round people not understanding that this was 40 years ago, and he quickly realised how wrong he was. What he did for a week was wrong, but he didn't actually carry out his thoughts, and then got himself together, and understood how bad his reaction was.

The notion that someone somehow gets over their racist beliefs as a result of a few nights out on the town armed with a cosh and then has a epiphany is rather naive and a bit too conveniently "Hollywood". I'm sure he thought that would play well and wasn't expecting the sort of backlash that has occurred. He may well have come to his senses and not taken any direct action but the fact remains that there is never any easy out for that kind of repugnant thinking now and there wasn't any excuse for it then either.

The thinking and behaviour was 40 years ago, based on a traumatic attack on a friend. After a week, he realised how wrong his thoughts, and actions were. Why should he be forever labelled a racist for that week of bad thinking?

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Nobody has said its not twisted.

The mentality is you hurt one you hurt them all. If you attacked my 5th removed cousin regardless if I had never met him or not you was attacking me. People growing up in his world was not individuals. For example he would labeled for his entire life not by anything else but the religion he was born into regardless of him being a practicing member or not.

He would have seen time and time again things done to someone totally unconnected to someone else because they share a belief system so a "logical" path for him was that if he attacked one person he was also attacking the person who actually did it just because they had something in common. Also part of it is we has from a culture of violence, Where the responds to something as violent as rape was violence any violent reaction was acceptable, You just kicked out without any real thought.

Labeling him racist is too simplistic and is not really getting to the route of the issue or offering anything substantial, Its a easy label to put on him and ensures he is "punished" for what happened so appeals to our need for punishment

I agree, he was racist AND deranged.

Simplicity at its worst.

Its no different then him wanting to go out after someone because that section of society and giving them a label of "racist".

Just attacking someone without looking at the mechanics of what happened.

Offers no solution or understanding of the issues at hand.

Oh no, I understand exactly how you are trying to justify his thoughts and actions by reference to the "logic" and thinking prevalent in the environment in which he was raised and lived.

Previously I explained that I was brought up at roughly the same time as him, a time when such racist stereotyping and bias was probably the norm. I don't condemn him for it but neither do I pretend that it wasn't racist.

As for the "logic" of his reaction to go out and hurt a random stranger in "revenge', the fact that this was a common reaction in his environment of bigotry and hatred does not make it any less deranged.

I don't believe that he should be punished now for his thoughts and actions 40 years ago and I accept that he doesn't hold the same views now. However, he was stupid to think he could tell this story, in this way without provoking the reaction that has now engulfed him.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I do wonder if the folk on here would give the same support to a youth caught carrying a knife around with them now

"Does admitting to past racist thoughts make you a racist? I’d argue having current racist thoughts makes you one. Expressing horror at one’s past racism is potentially a route to something constructive and reconciliatory.|

The conclusion seems so obvious to me. I cant get my head round people not understanding that this was 40 years ago, and he quickly realised how wrong he was. What he did for a week was wrong, but he didn't actually carry out his thoughts, and then got himself together, and understood how bad his reaction was.

The notion that someone somehow gets over their racist beliefs as a result of a few nights out on the town armed with a cosh and then has a epiphany is rather naive and a bit too conveniently "Hollywood". I'm sure he thought that would play well and wasn't expecting the sort of backlash that has occurred. He may well have come to his senses and not taken any direct action but the fact remains that there is never any easy out for that kind of repugnant thinking now and there wasn't any excuse for it then either.

The thinking and behaviour was 40 years ago, based on a traumatic attack on a friend. After a week, he realised how wrong his thoughts, and actions were. Why should he be forever labelled a racist for that week of bad thinking?

Do you think his racism started and ended in that short time?

Do you have some knowledge that it didn't? Has he made other racist statements? Acted in a racist fashion? Has he not wanted to associate with other races? Has he stopped actors from other races from getting parts in films?

I mean, what's the point in speculating whether someone is a racist? Surely we just judge on actions?

Do you win something if you can prove he's a racist? Is it a better prize than a reminder that racism is bad and that people can easily be sucked into ignorance?

We've all made mistakes in the past and will continue to in the future.

He decided to reveal this information NOW, out of his free will. So people are and are allowed to react to it now. If he didn't want a reaction, he should've left it all in the past, 40 years ago. It's not like people have held this against him for 40 years.

For example Mark Wahlberg attacked other people with violent, racist rage years back. People barely mention it any more when talking about him, and he has a very successful career.

He used to racially and physically abuse black children and he attacked 2 Asian men, which resulted in one of them losing an eye. Mark claimed that he didn’t feel the need to make it up to the man, now that he has the money to do so, because he’s forgiven himself

The best thing is, he tried to get himself pardoned for his crimes, claiming he’s apologised and paid for what he did. He served 45 days and later went on to physically attack another person, resulting in a fractured jaw

He also compared one of the monkeys in his Planet of the Apes film, to Janet Jackson. Such growth.

Like I’ve said, Neeson will be fine. If a terrible rapper/actor can make it despite being a pretty horrible person, Neeson will be forgiven.

"Does admitting to past racist thoughts make you a racist? I’d argue having current racist thoughts makes you one. Expressing horror at one’s past racism is potentially a route to something constructive and reconciliatory.|

The conclusion seems so obvious to me. I cant get my head round people not understanding that this was 40 years ago, and he quickly realised how wrong he was. What he did for a week was wrong, but he didn't actually carry out his thoughts, and then got himself together, and understood how bad his reaction was.

The notion that someone somehow gets over their racist beliefs as a result of a few nights out on the town armed with a cosh and then has a epiphany is rather naive and a bit too conveniently "Hollywood". I'm sure he thought that would play well and wasn't expecting the sort of backlash that has occurred. He may well have come to his senses and not taken any direct action but the fact remains that there is never any easy out for that kind of repugnant thinking now and there wasn't any excuse for it then either.

The thinking and behaviour was 40 years ago, based on a traumatic attack on a friend. After a week, he realised how wrong his thoughts, and actions were. Why should he be forever labelled a racist for that week of bad thinking?

Do you think his racism started and ended in that short time?

Do you have some knowledge that it didn't? Has he made other racist statements? Acted in a racist fashion? Has he not wanted to associate with other races? Has he stopped actors from other races from getting parts in films?

I mean, what's the point in speculating whether someone is a racist? Surely we just judge on actions?

Do you win something if you can prove he's a racist? Is it a better prize than a reminder that racism is bad and that people can easily be sucked into ignorance?

Apart from going armed ready to murder a random "black [email protected]", no I don't have any other information to go on.

Regarding the "Black B*stard" comment does anyone think he was saying that in the third person? Depicting the character he was back in the 70s, not necessarily throwing out the BB comment because he thought it was edgy, but rather trying show the type of thoughts he had back then?

Yes, entirely. I think he made a mistake using those words, misjudging the world he was speaking to but yes, the person he was back then was the one who would have said that.

I agree, I think he used his fingers to make "quotes" to show thats what he meant.

"Does admitting to past racist thoughts make you a racist? I’d argue having current racist thoughts makes you one. Expressing horror at one’s past racism is potentially a route to something constructive and reconciliatory.|

The conclusion seems so obvious to me. I cant get my head round people not understanding that this was 40 years ago, and he quickly realised how wrong he was. What he did for a week was wrong, but he didn't actually carry out his thoughts, and then got himself together, and understood how bad his reaction was.

The notion that someone somehow gets over their racist beliefs as a result of a few nights out on the town armed with a cosh and then has a epiphany is rather naive and a bit too conveniently "Hollywood". I'm sure he thought that would play well and wasn't expecting the sort of backlash that has occurred. He may well have come to his senses and not taken any direct action but the fact remains that there is never any easy out for that kind of repugnant thinking now and there wasn't any excuse for it then either.

The thinking and behaviour was 40 years ago, based on a traumatic attack on a friend. After a week, he realised how wrong his thoughts, and actions were. Why should he be forever labelled a racist for that week of bad thinking?

Do you think his racism started and ended in that short time?

Based on what he said, yes. I dont know his mind, but his story sounds feasible. I know I did things, and thought things 40 years ago that I wouldn't think right now. And I'm sure most people, if honest, would say the same.

For all the outcry about how diverse we all are now (which we're not in reality), in 30 years time, things that are seen as okay now will be condemned.

It's about how people are now, not about something stupid they did in the past, and regret.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I do wonder if the folk on here would give the same support to a youth caught carrying a knife around with them now

Do you know what, there are stacks of people around now who have carried knives in the past, and changed their ways. Most people will congratulate them for that.

Many ex gang members have done great work in schools, telling of their experiences, and saying how wrong it is. Do you condemn them for evermore?

Anyone caught with a knife now would suffer the consequences, had would Neeson if he'd been caught 40 years ago.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

He did NOTHING. Walking around with nasty thoughts ISN'T a crime matey.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I do wonder if the folk on here would give the same support to a youth caught carrying a knife around with them now

You can't compare the 2 things. One happened 40 years ago and is now out in the open. Had he been stopped by the police then, he would have deservedly been in trouble. Anyone caught with a knife now should be be in even more trouble.

"Does admitting to past racist thoughts make you a racist? I’d argue having current racist thoughts makes you one. Expressing horror at one’s past racism is potentially a route to something constructive and reconciliatory.|

The conclusion seems so obvious to me. I cant get my head round people not understanding that this was 40 years ago, and he quickly realised how wrong he was. What he did for a week was wrong, but he didn't actually carry out his thoughts, and then got himself together, and understood how bad his reaction was.

The notion that someone somehow gets over their racist beliefs as a result of a few nights out on the town armed with a cosh and then has a epiphany is rather naive and a bit too conveniently "Hollywood". I'm sure he thought that would play well and wasn't expecting the sort of backlash that has occurred. He may well have come to his senses and not taken any direct action but the fact remains that there is never any easy out for that kind of repugnant thinking now and there wasn't any excuse for it then either.

The thinking and behaviour was 40 years ago, based on a traumatic attack on a friend. After a week, he realised how wrong his thoughts, and actions were. Why should he be forever labelled a racist for that week of bad thinking?

Do you think his racism started and ended in that short time?

Based on what he said, yes. I dont know his mind, but his story sounds feasible. I know I did things, and thought things 40 years ago that I wouldn't think right now. And I'm sure most people, if honest, would say the same.

For all the outcry about how diverse we all are now (which we're not in reality), in 30 years time, things that are seen as okay now will be condemned.

It's about how people are now, not about something stupid they did in the past, and regret.

I don't think racist attitudes can be contracted and then got over like catching a cold.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

He did NOTHING. Walking around with nasty thoughts ISN'T a crime matey.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I do wonder if the folk on here would give the same support to a youth caught carrying a knife around with them now

I would rather deal with the reasons and the situation that meant they felt they needed to carry one rather then supporting or criticizing him

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Nobody has said its not twisted.

The mentality is you hurt one you hurt them all. If you attacked my 5th removed cousin regardless if I had never met him or not you was attacking me. People growing up in his world was not individuals. For example he would labeled for his entire life not by anything else but the religion he was born into regardless of him being a practicing member or not.

He would have seen time and time again things done to someone totally unconnected to someone else because they share a belief system so a "logical" path for him was that if he attacked one person he was also attacking the person who actually did it just because they had something in common. Also part of it is we has from a culture of violence, Where the responds to something as violent as rape was violence any violent reaction was acceptable, You just kicked out without any real thought.

Labeling him racist is too simplistic and is not really getting to the route of the issue or offering anything substantial, Its a easy label to put on him and ensures he is "punished" for what happened so appeals to our need for punishment

I agree, he was racist AND deranged.

Simplicity at its worst.

Its no different then him wanting to go out after someone because that section of society and giving them a label of "racist".

Just attacking someone without looking at the mechanics of what happened.

Offers no solution or understanding of the issues at hand.

Oh no, I understand exactly how you are trying to justify his thoughts and actions by reference to the "logic" and thinking prevalent in the environment in which he was raised and lived.

Previously I explained that I was brought up at roughly the same time as him, a time when such racist stereotyping and bias was probably the norm. I don't condemn him for it but neither do I pretend that it wasn't racist.

As for the "logic" of his reaction to go out and hurt a random stranger in "revenge', the fact that this was a common reaction in his environment of bigotry and hatred does not make it any less deranged.

I don't believe that he should be punished now for his thoughts and actions 40 years ago and I accept that he doesn't hold the same views now. However, he was stupid to think he could tell this story, in this way without provoking the reaction that has now engulfed him.

Then we should be more critical of the world created where being able to share a vital story like this is considered stupid then we are of the person telling the story

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I do wonder if the folk on here would give the same support to a youth caught carrying a knife around with them now

I would rather deal with the reasons and the situation that meant they felt they needed to carry one rather then supporting or criticizing him

Yes, be sure to try to keep your own blood off your notebook whilst you do that.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

He did NOTHING. Walking around with nasty thoughts ISN'T a crime matey.

Carrying a weapon is and don’t call me matey

Yes, he did it 40 years ago. What do you think of ex gang members who say they were wrong to carry weaopons in the past, and many who actually used them?

"Does admitting to past racist thoughts make you a racist? I’d argue having current racist thoughts makes you one. Expressing horror at one’s past racism is potentially a route to something constructive and reconciliatory.|

The conclusion seems so obvious to me. I cant get my head round people not understanding that this was 40 years ago, and he quickly realised how wrong he was. What he did for a week was wrong, but he didn't actually carry out his thoughts, and then got himself together, and understood how bad his reaction was.

The notion that someone somehow gets over their racist beliefs as a result of a few nights out on the town armed with a cosh and then has a epiphany is rather naive and a bit too conveniently "Hollywood". I'm sure he thought that would play well and wasn't expecting the sort of backlash that has occurred. He may well have come to his senses and not taken any direct action but the fact remains that there is never any easy out for that kind of repugnant thinking now and there wasn't any excuse for it then either.

The thinking and behaviour was 40 years ago, based on a traumatic attack on a friend. After a week, he realised how wrong his thoughts, and actions were. Why should he be forever labelled a racist for that week of bad thinking?

Do you think his racism started and ended in that short time?

Based on what he said, yes. I dont know his mind, but his story sounds feasible. I know I did things, and thought things 40 years ago that I wouldn't think right now. And I'm sure most people, if honest, would say the same.

For all the outcry about how diverse we all are now (which we're not in reality), in 30 years time, things that are seen as okay now will be condemned.

It's about how people are now, not about something stupid they did in the past, and regret.

I don't think racist attitudes can be contracted and then got over like catching a cold.

I think it is easy to make mistakes, and learn from them.

Racism was much more up front back then, but lets not pretend it has gone away from those who are genuine racists, rather than those who made comments, without thinking of the meaning of them. Tv programmes regularly used terminology that was not challenged, and people copied it without any thought. Same happens now, just in different ways.

He came from NI, and the hatred, and feelings of so many people there were actually much worse than what he dd here. Should the huge numbers of those who have changed their opinion be ignored, and condemned?

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

I do wonder if the folk on here would give the same support to a youth caught carrying a knife around with them now

I would rather deal with the reasons and the situation that meant they felt they needed to carry one rather then supporting or criticizing him

Yes, be sure to try to keep your own blood off your notebook whilst you do that.

Oh, you didn't mean to be the victim, sorry.

Me being the victim or someone I know being the victim or a small child being the victim changes very little apart from a emotional level which is not really important

Having a emotive reaction/connection is not going to change the real issues. We still need to deal with how we got that point rather then just where we are. That's how things improve,That's how we become better that's how we stop similar incidents happening again

What I look to at times like this are the opinions of those who actually know him. Whoopi Goldberg is one such person. She doesn't believe he's a racist or a bigot. And she's apparently known him for some time. That's good enough for me. I'll take her view over Lily Allen (Why on earth BBC News are contrasting their opinions I've no idea).

I think on reflection he was refreshingly honest. Perhaps he miscalculated the moment and the medium in which he was making such an admission. But he was being honest. Not many people in this world admit to thoughts of racism or even murder. Especially not someone as high profile with so much to lose.

I suspect it didn't matter who did the crime. Had he been given a name he'd have gone over there and beaten that person up. Because he had no name, just a race, he went looking for someone to take his anger out on. Clearly something that would have been incredibly wrong. But I don't think it's unique to the person being black. Had he been told the rapist came from a particular country or demographic perhaps he'd have gone looking for someone who fit that profile too.

And it's also important to note he suggests he'd have only attacked someone who gave him an excuse to. Again, that doesn't make it right. But that's different to attacking a completely innocent individual at random,

I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. I just hope his career isn't over because of one honest admission.

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

I believe his first question was did you know them

The reaction whilst we all see it as dreadful was one of red mist anger it would appear not of normal behaviour red mist anger being a real thing not an excuse

And now the premier in New York has been cancelled because of f u c k i n g snowflakes.

I think it was cancelled because he decides to tell us he wanted to murder a random black man.

And then didn’t because he came to his senses, plus, has regretted even thinking about doing so ever since.

Always best to have the full story.

That he (eventually) came to his senses and now regrets it has nothing to do with the negative reaction that he has had. Neither is it that he wanted revenge on an (alleged) rapist. Who wouldn't. The point is that his decision to try to murder any black man was racist and historically of a particularly nasty nature.

It's not the revenge it's the second-nature racism.

So can I ask had he said he went out looking for a "white bloke" as that's the description his friend gave what would the reaction be to that ? I mean he has clarified he would have gone after someone of the same description of whatever his friend had said

that's not defending random violence just that I do not think he is a racist as you have to take the whole story in to account , the reaction is wrong of course but he would have gone after a white man had the rapist been white.

Racism is racism whatever the colour of the skin.

That comment makes no sense in the context of the quoted post.
He wasn't looking for a black man because he hated black men, it was because that was the description of the rapist. So if the description was a fat white man then that's who he'd have looked for. The reason behind it was NOT rascism.
Jeeeeez, why tf don't you lot get it?

He didn't ask for a description of the attacker. He asked what colour they were. He was displaying his racist mentality before he knew the answer.

What is the mentality in looking for a random black man to punish other than a racist one?

Oh ffs, it's because that was the description of the attacker.

If you want a description of the attacker you would ask what they looked like, your first question wouldn't be what colour they were.

And you still haven't explained the thought process that makes someone want to attack a random person who looked like the attacker but wasn't the actual person. Racism or not that's twisted.

Seems to me Liam neeson is getting a easy pass on this for some reason 🤔

Seems to me he's getting a hard time for admitting something he THOUGHT about doing when he was young and in a fragile state of mind after what happened to a close friend. Now if he had ACTUALLY done what he THOUGHT about doing, that would be a different matter.

He CARRIED around a cosh with him in the HOPES a ‘black b ‘ would start something with him so he could use it . Tht isn’t just a fleeting thought with anger . That is with intent . Premeditated in my eyes .
He is quite rightly getting flack from
Some folk though I’m
Surprised the amount of ppl who are going ‘oh well ‘ shrug 🤷🏽‍♀️.

He did NOTHING. Walking around with nasty thoughts ISN'T a crime matey.

Carrying a weapon is and don’t call me matey

Yes, he did it 40 years ago. What do you think of ex gang members who say they were wrong to carry weaopons in the past, and many who actually used them?

I don’t see anyone giving them a easy pass for what they did though . He did wrong and is called out for it . I’m not saying he is a racist now and I don’t think he should suffer the rest of his life but I also don’t think it should be swept under the carpetwith the ‘oh well ‘ attitude